Ayn Rand & Objectivism
Ayn Rand & Objectivism, Philosophy
Good Press for Objectivism and Atlas Shrugged
Craig Biddle September 28, 2007
There is a good article in Forbes today, titled “Atlas Shrugs Again,” by Marc Babej and Tim Pollack, focusing on the recent swell of interest in Ayn Rand’s ideas and on what it takes to “market something as amorphous as a [philosophical] movement.” After citing some of the recent items…
Ayn Rand & Objectivism, Philosophy
Journalistic Jabberwocky: The Classificatory Nonsense of Kay S. Hymowitz
Craig Biddle September 16, 2007
In an article titled “Freedom Fetishists: The Cultural Contradictions of Libertarianism”— which has been published in both Commentary and the Wall Street Journal—Kay S. Hymowitz has labeled Ayn Rand a “libertarian.” This would be unworthy of comment were it not for the fact that, as Rand herself put it, “the…
Arts & Culture, Ayn Rand & Objectivism
Transfiguring the Novel: The Literary Revolution in Atlas Shrugged
Andrew Bernstein August 20, 2007
Celebrates the fiftieth anniversary of Ayn Rand's magnum opus (which was published on October 10, 1957) by examining key aspects of the book's artistic elements. Focusing on Rand's dramatization of the plot-theme, her use of literary techniques, and the nature and significance of key figures in the story, Bernstein shows how Rand employed such elements to tap the full potential of this supremely conceptual art form and thus to create a thoroughly integrated novel.
Ayn Rand & Objectivism, Philosophy
Mediocrities Hold Their Ground
Craig Biddle July 30, 2007
After the avowedly mediocre philosopher Steve Gimbel launched an envious attack on human excellence in general and Ayn Rand in particular—in which he pricelessly attempts to intimidate those who revere excellence into revering mediocrity instead—he and some mediocre followers found themselves engaged with a few Objectivists whereupon they further demonstrated…
Ayn Rand & Objectivism, Philosophy, Politics & Rights
'Loophole': Anti-Euphemism of Statists
Craig Biddle July 25, 2007
Jack Shafer of Slate has written a superb article on the notion of “loophole” titled “Shut Your Loophole.”(Thanks to Brad Malestein for bringing this piece to my attention.) Here’s an excerpt: Upon entering the English language in the late 16th century, the word loophole defined the narrow opening in a…
Ayn Rand & Objectivism, Reviews
Egoism Explained: A Review of Tara Smith’s Ayn Rand's Normative Ethics
Diana Hsieh February 20, 2007
Reviews Tara Smith’s latest book, Ayn Rand’s Normative Ethics: The Virtuous Egoist, and finds it to be a welcome addition to the existing literature on the Objectivist ethics—and a sizable challenge for critics of egoism.
Ayn Rand & Objectivism, Politics & Rights
America's Sanction of its Enemies
John David Lewis January 3, 2007
On March 1, 1973, eight Palestinian Black September killers stormed the Saudi Arabian Embassy in Khartoum during a send-off party for American Charges d'Affairs George C. Moore. They took Moore, U.S. Ambassador Cleo A. Noel, Jr., Belgian Charges d'Affairs Guy Eid, and two other diplomats hostage. They demanded the release…
Ayn Rand & Objectivism, Philosophy, Politics & Rights
Michael Farris Interview on 'Fresh Air'
Alan Germani May 25, 2006
Yesterday on NPR's radio show "Fresh Air" host Terry Gross interviewed Michael Farris, president of the fundamentalist Christian school Patrick Henry College. This regrettably named institution seeks to train home-schooled Christians to be tomorrow's leaders, "ready to reclaim the biblical principles upon which our land was founded." The interview with…
Ayn Rand & Objectivism, Philosophy
Altruism: The Morality of Logical Fallacies
Craig Biddle May 22, 2006
Altruism, the idea that being moral consists in self-sacrificially serving others, is accepted to some extent by almost everyone today. But no reason has ever been given as to why people should sacrifice for others. Of course, alleged reasons have been given, but not legitimate ones. So let’s consider the alleged reasons—of which there are approximately six—each of which involves a logical fallacy.
Ayn Rand & Objectivism
Introducing The Objective Standard
Craig Biddle February 20, 2006
Outlines the philosophy on which The Objective Standard is based and indicates what is to come.